The star of Room 222, recalls an awful experience she had

Karen Valentine Reflects on Career Beginnings and Her Breakthrough Role on Room 222

Karen Valentine, beloved for her role as student teacher Alice Johnson on the groundbreaking series Room 222, recently looked back on the surprising twists that shaped her early career.

Before rising to fame, Valentine appeared on The Dating Game, hoping for a fun TV debut. Instead, the experience left her uneasy. “It just wasn’t what I signed up for,” she said, recalling how the seemingly light-hearted appearance felt uncomfortable. Still, she pressed on with grace and determination.

Soon after, she starred in Gidget Grows Up, which led to her iconic role on Room 222, a series that ran from 1969 to 1974 and earned acclaim for tackling real-life social issues in a diverse, inner-city school setting. Created by James L. Brooks and produced by Gene Reynolds, the show made history—and earned multiple Primetime Emmys in 1970, including wins for Valentine and co-star Michael Constantine.

Valentine remembers those days fondly: “Meeting Carol Burnett, getting a thumbs-up from Gregory Peck—it all felt surreal.”

Though Room 222 ended after four seasons due to network shifts, Valentine’s career thrived. She starred in the short-lived but forward-thinking sitcom Karen in 1975, and went on to appear in numerous TV staples like The Love Boat, Murder, She Wrote, and The Hollywood Squares. In 2004, she returned to film in Hallmark’s Wedding Daze alongside John Larroquette.

Now in her late 70s, Valentine reflects on Room 222 as a defining moment. “That show gave me everything,” she said. “It taught me what it meant to be part of something that matters.”

Which of Karen Valentine’s roles is your favorite? Share your memories and help celebrate the legacy of a TV trailblazer whose warmth and talent still shine today.